Coming off a stint on a dualie(Apollo Vanquish), I never thought I'd go back to a Hardtail. But you know what? The comfort you lose is totally made up for by the performance you gain from a lighter, more accurate frame. Even though it's an 8year-old rig, the Avanti Aggressor represents the best value Mountain-Biking purchase this reviewer has made.

Weaknesses: Soft derailleur hanger has caused three busted XT derailleurs, three twisted chains, three replaced hangers,three broken spokes in rear wheel and a lot of startled wildlife due to the tantrems of the owner of a relatively new bike. Yes, that's right, three total failures within 10months riding, all due to twigs that Deore specced bikes would eat for breakfast.

Unfortunately this soft rear hanger has left the owner tarnished, oh, and the frame broke once...

Bottom Line:

Man, great bike, but even if the bike is left to topple under its own weight, the rear hanger will probably be bent. Please, please, please, Avanti, give us a recall with a stiffer hanger!!!

This will then make a very quick, agile hardtail, at the lowest price anywhere for the comp spec.

Bike Setup: Totally standard, except had to throw away the standard tyres. The yellow sidewall looked neat, but the Baldys are crap off of bitumen. I went for the fast IRC Mythos, which worked great during summer, but suffer in mud.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from melbourne,vic,aus

Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001

Strengths: frame,weight,package for price,chuck-a-bility(is that a word) also lifetime frame waranty

Weaknesses: not much, stock mt baldy tyres (good for riding to work, but have to change them every weekend) also strait laced front wheel

Bottom Line:

I won't be changing this bike for a long time, I love it. high end hard tail that feels like it can take whatever you can throgh at it. I don't ride that fast (yet) but I don't mind it rough

Weaknesses: Manitou SX is a little bit on the stiff side, but after having the 'pogo-stick' RST Gamma Fork on the Avanti Barracuda i can live it

Mt Baldy are great on the road but a poor off-road tire

Bottom Line:

AWESOME BIKE, i keep on riding this machine & it just gives me satisfaction. I had my heart on a dual but my head said hardtail. It is absolutely packed with great components for the price so i had to buy it. I will buy a Dual though & the Kona Manomano & Giant XTX comes to mind, but that can wait a couple of years till i get my thrills from the AVANTI AGGRESSOR.

Weaknesses: Mt Baldy's coming stock with it, not good for serious sloppy runs

Bottom Line:

A beautiful bike from a company that has been doing good work for a long time now. Being their hardtail before going to the flagship Competitor, the Aggressor makes a big effort to follow it's big brother.

For $2000 AUD, the parts that come with it cannot be surpassed for quality nor for the biggest bang for your buck.

The decals look groovy and bold, and is a definite headturner on the streets, as well as on the trails.

The chainstays have been massively rework, to allow for more room for the tyre, and to increase stiffness.

With 71/73 deg seat and head angles, the Aggressor is designed for speed. This little baby is a fine low flyer, if not a little tail happy. But nothing a firm hand can fix.

This bike seems edgy with the kore straight bar, but by whacking on your fav risers, an instant change.

The Mt Baldy's are good for the urban assaults, however, not very good on the muds, or anything other than tarmac, hardpack. I suggest the Panaracers as an upgrade.

I've looked at the 2001 edition in my LBS, and I would have to say that I am happier with the the 2000 model.

Strengths: Rigidity of frame, Quality of components, Good price(Aus$2000 with XT Discs)Hydralic XT Discs have power to shift continental plates

Weaknesses: Forks could be better, No gussets for hydralic lines for rear brakes which is no real hassle, exept that the lines need tying down to stop rattles

Bottom Line:

For what you get for your buck, this bike is unbelievably good value, considering the next step up is a duallie XCountry, and comparable quality would cost around $4-5000(Aus). This bike makes me look good on any track, trail or path(or steps, drops, garden beds, schools, streets. Get the picture).Stiff frame gives incredible acceleration, the bike goes where it is pointed, and discs are awesome.You guys/girls in the Northern hemisphere may not get the full Avanti range. I suggest you make an effort to have a look at New Zealands finest(big call for an Aussie). They are quite a mad bunch so I dont expect to strain my ride at all.Brilliant bike